The course explores selected clausal argument structure constructions in English, and the idea that they carry particular meanings as constructions. It begins with an introduction to basic assumptions and principles in the study of sentential complementation, including the postulation of understood subjects. It then turns to the discussion of selected constructions in English involving sentential complements, with a focus on the matrix verbs selecting them and on the syntactic and semantic properties of the constructions. These include patterns with to infinitives and -ing complements, especially the types of I remembered to mail the letter and I remembered mailing the letter. Authentic data from electronic corpora are made use of in the course.

The course is largely a lecture course, with some homework assignments. Course work includes regular attendance, class participation, a brief essay presented in class on an approved topic, and a final exam. The final exam requires an amount of additional reading, consisting of articles and book chapters on complementation. (These are made available to participants.)

Friday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., with a five-minute break in the middle.